The Lessons of the Nanjing Massacre: A Survivor's Legacy and the Quest for Justice

Xiong Shulan, a poignant figure in the history of the Nanjing Massacre, passed away at the age of 94 on September 26, 2025. Her departure has left the number of registered survivors at a mere 25, a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of memory and the urgency of preserving the narratives surrounding one of the 20th century's most harrowing atrocities. The Nanjing Massacre, which unfolded in the winter of 1937-38, resulted in the shocking loss of over 300,000 lives, a truth that continues to face denial and revisionism in contemporary discourse.

The importance of documenting and recounting these historical events cannot be overstated. Eric Foster, whose aunt, Helen Foster Snow, was a prominent American journalist chronicling China's struggles, recently visited the Memorial Hall dedicated to the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. His connection to this history is deeply personal and underscores the vital role that historical narratives play in education and remembrance.

In the face of such denial, the publication of "Tokyo Trial Evidence and Judgment of the Nanjing Massacre" serves as a beacon of truth, especially as we approach the 80th anniversary of the victory in China’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. It captures not only the story of the massacre but also the arduous pursuit of justice in the wake of World War II. The book draws on primary sources, providing firsthand accounts, original documentation, and procedural records from the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (IMTFE), convened between 1946 and 1948 to address Japan's wartime leadership.

The IMTFE represented a monumental effort, requiring meticulous adherence to rules, processes, and evidence-gathering from multiple nations including China, the United States, the Soviet Union, and others. This multinational endeavor lent credibility to the tribunal, ensuring that justice would be seen as legitimate, even in the face of such terrible human rights violations. The trial upheld legal rights for the accused, allowing for counsel, witness testimonies, and evidence confrontation, ensuring that due process was maintained, despite the overwhelming nature of the war crimes presented.

The heart-wrenching testimonies recorded during the trial are among the most critical aspects of the book. They vividly recount the unimaginable suffering experienced during the massacre, offering readers not only a factual recount of events but also an emotional connection to the human experience behind the statistics. The evidence collected serves to reinforce the idea that this tragedy was not just an abstract historical fact; it was a profoundly human ordeal.

The Tokyo Trial itself was fraught with challenges. As an experiment in international justice, it sought to balance the need for legal fairness with the sheer scale of the atrocities committed. The legacy of the IMTFE is a vital historical record that helps shape our understanding of how future tribunals address war crimes, emphasizing the necessity of accountability and the rule of law. However, the juxtaposition of procedural rigor with the raw human suffering reveals the ongoing struggle for justice—one marked by victories and disappointments.

Reflecting on these histories, it becomes clear that while we mourn the passing of survivors like Xiong Shulan, we must also internalize their stories, as they are part of our collective memory. The urgency of these narratives is heightened by the continuing threats of denial and oblivion that seek to erase the lessons learned from such dark chapters of human history. The emotional weight of reading about these horrific events prompts introspection about our roles in combating misinformation and promoting historical accuracy in our own contexts.

"Tokyo Trial Evidence and Judgment of the Nanjing Massacre" is not only a testament to the past but a call to action for the present. It reminds us that naming, documenting, and judging atrocities is a moral imperative that endures through time, regardless of resistance. For those seeking a deeper understanding of both the Nanjing Massacre and the evolution of international justice, this work is an essential read.

In remembering Xiong Shulan and others like her, we are reminded of the need to listen actively, document continually, and resist the urge to forget. As her story intertwines with the broader narrative of China's tumultuous 20th-century history, it reinforces the unwavering pursuit of truth and justice, ensuring that the horrors of the past are never repeated. We owe it to the survivors and to future generations to ensure that these lessons endure.